Folding mechanism



June 17, 1924.-

` B. R. DEXTER FOLDING MEcHAmsM Filed Feb. 1 1, 1922 gflelallh Rauw Patented June 17, 1924i.

FOLDING MEGHANIsii/r.

Application filed February 11, 1922. Serial No. 535,748. I

mechanism for folding ironing boa-rds, seats,

tables, shelves and other folding household fixtures by means of which mechanism said fixtures may be readily swung into position for use and firmly supported or folded up out of the way when not desired for use.

Referring to the annexed drawing in which my invention is illustrated and which' forms a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my invention unfolded and supporting an ironing board in position for use.

Figure 2 is a view similar to my invention as shown in Figure 1 but in folded position with the ironing board in its cabinet.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sec-tional view takenon line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing 1 indicates an ironing board cabinet which may be set in the wall or against the wall in the front of which cabinet are a lower door 2 and an upper door 3a. To the inside -of the side walls of the cabinet in the lower part of the cabinet are secured plates 3, inclined slightly from the vertical in a forward and downvward direction. Said plates are provided with longitudinal slots 4. To said plates is slidably mounted one end of an ironing board 5 by means of a pin 6 in the slots fi. Braces 7 are pivoted at one end to the side edges of the board 5 and have pins 8 in their other ends which travel in the slots -i-. Auxiliary brace rods 11 are pivoted on one of their ends to the upper part of plates 3 by pivots 12, the other ends of brace rods 11 are pivoted to braces 7 by pins 10. A short auxiliary board 13 is pivoted at one end above the board 5 by pivots 14 to plates 15 secured to the inside walls of the cabinet 1.'V Braces 16 are pivoted at one end to the board 13 and are slidably secured at their other end to the plates 15. A pin 17 through said end of the brace 16 slides in a slot y18 in the plate 15. The door 2 is pivoted near its lower edge to the hinges 25 by pivots 20. Springs 21 are secured at one end to the back of cabinet 1 and at their other ends to the door 2 for normally drawing `said door upwardly into closed position.' Afiat spring 22 secured in the lower part of the cabinet 1 engages the lower inner edge of the door 2 to hold said door closed. A stop 23 is'secured in the lower part of the cabinet for engaging the inner end of the door 2 to hold said door horizontally in open position. The door 3a is hinged at one side to one of theside walls of the cabinet.

The doors 2 and 3a are swung open before the boards 5 and 13 are swung down. The board 5 swings down forwardly from the cabinet until arrested in horizontal position by the engagement of pins 8 with thelower ends of the slots t. The board 13 swings down until arrested in horizontal position by the brace 16.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a cabinet, inclined plates provided with slots secured respectively to theinside of the side walls of said cabinet, a board slidably mounted in said slots, braces pivoted at one end to said board and pins in the other end of said braces projecting into said slots for engaging the lower sides of said slots to limit the downward swinging movement of said board in horizontal position, and brace rods pivoted at one end to said plates and at their other end to the brace and pins carried by the board to engage the upper end'of theslot to limit the upward movement of that part of the board which carries the pins.

2. In combination, aI cabinet, inclined plates provided with slots secured respectively to the inside of the side walls of said cabinet, a board slidably mounted in said slots, braces pivoted at one end to said board and pins in the other end of said braces projecting into said `slots for engaging the lower sides of said slots to Ilimit the downward swinging movement of said board in horizontal position and pins car- I ried by the board to engage the upper end of the slot to limit the upward movement of that part of thev board which carries the pins, a lower doorand an upper door in said cabinet, said lower door being pivoted near its lower end to said cabinet to swing down into horizontal position, springs for drawing said door closed, andl a ilat spring engaging the inner lower edge to hold said door closed.

3. In combination, a cabinet, plates provided with straight slots inclined downward.-

ly at an angle to the vertical, said plates being secured respectively to the side walls of the cabinet, a board slidably engaged in said slots, braces pivoted at one end to said board and pins in the other end of' said braces and projecting into said slots for engaging the lower sides of said slots to limit the downward swinging movement of said board in horizontal position.

4f. In combination a Cabinet.y plates provided withv slots secured to the sides of the Cabinet, a channel in each plate, a swing'- ing member having pins slidable in said channels, braces pivoted to the opposite sides of the swinging' member andl each carrying a pin on its other end slidable in one of the channels, auxiliary brace rods each pivoted to one of the plates and at its other end to the brace whereby the movement` of the swinging member may be limited.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BENJAMIN Ri. DEXTER. 

